Newsbrief from Environmental Building News Urban Trees Curb Shady Behavior A new study of crime patterns in the Baltimore region found that increased urban tree cover corresponded to lower crime rates. By Erin Weaver A new study suggests a strong correlation between urban tree cover and reduced crime, especially on public lands. “The relationship between tree canopy and crime rates across an urban–rural gradient in the greater Baltimore region,” published in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning by researchers from the University of Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, looked at the relationship between tree cover (based on aerial photography) and crime rates in the city of Baltimore and Baltimore County, Maryland. After controlling for population density and socioeconomic factors, the authors found that, on average, a 10% increase in tree cano...